MUMBAI: US First Lady Michelle Obama will make a special taped appearance at US kids broadcaster Cartoon Network‘s upcoming Hall of Game Awards (HallofGame.com).

Mrs. Obama founded Let‘s Move! two years ago to solve the problem of childhood obesity. The First Lady will
appear onscreen to speak about the importance of getting active and to congratulate "Let‘s Move L.A." on the work they‘ve done to get people moving.

Hosted by basketball legend and TNT NBA analyst Shaquille O‘Neal, the second annual Cartoon Network Hall of Game Awards premieres on 20 February and lets viewers vote and honour their favourite sports stars and sports moments of the year.

In addition to musical performances by Hot Chelle Ray and Flo Rida, viewers can tune in to see personalities like Los Angeles Galaxy star David Beckham, Nick Cannon ‘America‘s Got Talent‘, Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints quarterback), Victor Cruz (New York Giants wide receiver) and Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers quarterback.

Also appearing are the cast of Cartoon Network‘s ‘Dude, What Would Happen‘ - C.J. Manigo, Jackson Rogow and Ali Sepasyar - as well as the cast from the comedy ‘Level Up‘ - Gaelan Connell, Connor del Rio, Jessie T. Usher, Aimee Carrero and Lonny Ross, and the 2011 SI Kids SportsKid of the Year.

The broadcaster adds that voting on HallofGame.com has passed 92 million. Fans can log on to HallofGame.com and vote for their favourites in 11 different categories.

MUMBAI: US broadcaster Fox has created a new unit to oversee the development and production of alternative animated series, shorts and user-adapted material for a brand new late-night animated programming block and new digital multi-platform network.

To run this new unit, Fox has inked an exclusive deal with Nick Weidenfeld, former head of programme development for Adult Swim and executive producer of series ?Childrens Hospital? and ?The Boondocks?.

The network has also tapped producer Hend Baghdady as the executive in charge of production for the new division.

Under their leadership, the unit will develop and produce original animated shorts and series to run both on-air and online. The late-night programming block will air Saturdays on Fox and will feature four new animated series per season starting in January 2013.

The digital channel will extend across platforms such as Web, mobile apps, game consoles and Video on Demand. It kicks off in 2012 and will feature 50 original short-form pieces per year, online windows of Fox animated shows, and user-adapted content.

Fox will also use its expertise and cross-promotional power to nurture these new assets through this pipeline.

Fox president of entertainment Kevin Reilly said, "This may be the first time a network is building a clear bridge for talent to develop and grow ideas in the digital/alternative arena and organically move them into the mainstream. These new late-night series will be assets in their own right - but the clear possibility exists for a breakout digital success to graduate to primetime."

Prior to teaming with Fox under his Friends Night production company banner, Weidenfeld served as the head of programme development for Adult Swim. Over the last eight years, Weidenfeld helped grow the late-night block of programming on Cartoon Network Adult Swim.

MUMBAI: Cartoon Network Asia Pacific has announced the acquisition of the animated series ?Chaplin and Co?, a slapstick nod to one of Hollywood?s most pivotal early stars, Charlie Chaplin.

Running six minutes long over 104 episodes, ?Chaplin and Co? will air across all of Cartoon Network?s Asia Pacific markets, more than 26 countries, from the first half of 2012.

A co-production between DQ Entertainment, and France-based Method Animation, ?Chaplin and Co? was developed in consultation with the Chaplin family. The aim was to make the series truly representative of the screen icon.

Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific director, programming, acquisitions and development Layla Lewis said, "Chaplin and Co. offers a contemporary take on Charlie?s timeless humour and endearing charm. We?re thrilled to introduce his comedic adventures to a whole new generation of Cartoon Network Asia Pacific fans."

The series is a slapstick comedy without dialogue - reminiscent of his films. Almost a century later, his most enduring traits have been transformed into a side-splittingly funny computer-generated animated series.

DQ Entertainment (International) chairman, CEO Tapaas Chakravarti said, "The legend of Charlie Chaplin will be brought back in high-end animated short films to delight children and families. The legendary entertainer will once again entertain audiences in his new CGI avatar. We believe Cartoon Network is the perfect partner for Chaplin and Co to bring this side-splitting series to audiences in this region."